It’s India’s Republic Day holiday this week, so we have two big Bollywood movies vying for your attention, the latest Resident Evil installment, and a couple of family oriented films, so stay tuned for more details:
Raees
Directed by: Rahul Dholakia
With: Shah Rukh Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Mahira Khan
What is it about? A cruel and clever bootlegger finds trouble when a brave cop starts chasing him.
Heads Up: If you are not an SRK fan, the only reason to watch this movie is if the cinematic showdown between Nawazuddin Siddiqui and SRK fascinates you. The trailers suggest a 70s Amitabh “Vijay” Bachchan style movie and titular character, but the presence of Nawazuddin and the director having made promising movies earlier keeps the curiosity level up. Between the two Bollywood releases of the weekend, I’d recommend this one.
Kaabil
Directed by: Sanjay Gupta
With: Hrithik Roshan, Yami Gautam, and Ronit Roy
What is it about? A blind man sets out to avenge the murder of his girlfriend.
Heads Up: This films looks like a The Brave One crossed with Daredevil, and if anyone can pull it, it’s Hrithik Roshan. Director Sanjay Gupta (Jazbaa, Zinda, Musafir) is not exactly known for his original ideas, but he usually handles action very well. So I am kinda curious.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson
With: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, and Ruby Rose
What is it about? Alice is the only survivor of what was meant to be humanity’s final stand against the undead. Now, she must return to where the nightmare began – The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.
Heads Up: The Resident Evil series started as a campy fun horror films based on a video game. If you don’t take it them too seriously, these films can be trashy fun, just don’t expect to have more than a cheap thrill ride while you’re watching them.
Monster Trucks
Directed by: Chris Wedge
With: Lucas Till, Jane Levy, and Thomas Lennon
What is it about? a high school senior, builds a Monster Truck from bits and pieces of scrapped cars. After an accident at a nearby oil-drilling site displaces a strange and subterranean creature with a taste and a talent for speed, Tripp may have just found the key to getting out of town and a most unlikely friend.
Heads Up: This is a family action comedy with a silly high concept that marries two things boys love: monsters and trucks. Even though the reviews are not very good, my inner 10 year old boy says let’s go!
Swallows and Amazons
Directed by: Philippa Lowthorpe
With: Andrew Scott, Kelly Macdonald, and Rafe Spall
What is it about? Four children (the Swallows) on holiday in the Lake District sail on their own to an island and start a war with rival children (the Amazons). In the meantime, a mysterious man on a houseboat accuses them of a crime they did not commit.
Heads Up: This family adventure film based on the novel from 1930s (and has been adapted for TV and film before) received excellent reviews across the board. This is a perfect film to watch with the whole family.
